Knee Deep’s Batch 138 India Pale Ale is brewed with three types of C hops and Simcoe, which gives this West Coast IPA an aroma that resembles a cat that has peed in a pine tree. Batch 138 finishes dry and crisp and is sure to leave you in hop euphoria.

it's an IPA --- a wide open category. this is really a quality beer.... knocking at the OUTSTANDING DOOR. maybe i just need a few more to convince me.

pours a perfect pale ale straw color, with a thin white foam.

some grainyness in the nose and a little hops but not exceptional.

this is a very nice drinking beer, definitely in the west coast/sandiego ipa camp -- excellent fresh hop bitterness, some citrus and very dry, with a grainy malt base, cereal with a little borccoli acidity from the hops.

this is really good... personally, i think you need to put it in 6paks for an IPA to break into the market. in a bomber i might pick it up again... if there was a 6pak i would buy it for sure. subtle change of pace from the usual. nice job.

T: Super dank grass weed flav. Very herbal indeed with a firm malt backbone of toasted bread. Light citrus fruits and evergreens in the background. High perceived bitterness across the palate with no alcohol coming through. Light toffee like sweetness but otherwise very near bone dry and nicely balanced in that matter. Pretty tasty shit.

M: Moderately full mouth feel with nice even carb and a creamy texture. Vast drying efforts in the finish coupled with a high level of hoppy bitters. Resinous and lingering long after the drink.

D: This is pretty much dank sauce. Very herbal and weedy which I am on board with. If that is your thing seek this one out. Keeps a firm maltiness with dem hops and has a very dry finish. If it took 138 batches to arrive here then I might be a little concerned. Otherwise worth revisiting for me.

The first time I had this (4/2013) I thought it was OK, nothing to write home about. The finish was a bit long for me-- I like short and clean, with no lingering bitterness on my tongue-- but otherwise I could live with it. Maybe an easier-to-get alternative to my favorites which are all rationed and marked up by local vendors.

I have half a case in my refrigerator right now, and I'm liking it a lot better right now (10/2013). Perhaps they have tweaked the recipe?

I'm noticing the finish is a lot cleaner and quicker, just like my favorites (Pliny and Just Outstanding). It's nice and dry. The hop flavor is really nice, all piney and citrusy. I like everything about it, except for the price (nearly $9/bomber with tax and CRV).

I have to admit, reading some of the reviews here, I'm wondering if this is some reverse psychology. Trash this beer so folks won't buy it, leaving more for the reviewers who claim it is borderline swill? Are these negative reviews honest? If so, what better IPAs are these reviewers drinking on a regular basis? I gots to know.

I'm not saying I'd choose this over a Pliny or a Just Outstanding. The price is a factor, of course. But it's a lot better than some of the mainstream IPAs which I'd rate 3.0-3.5 all year long.